Fast resultsGet your results in just two weeks if you take your B2 First as a computer-based exam.

A Cambridge English qualificationOnce you have earned a Cambridge English certificate, you hold one of the most valuable English qualifications in the world. It’s an achievement you can be really proud of.

What’s in the B2 First?The B2 First exam consists of four papers developed to test your English language skills in all areas of language ability: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The Speaking exam uses a face-to-face test with two candidates and two examiners. This creates a more realistic and reliable measure of your ability to use English to communicate.

B2 First has four papers:

Reading and Use of English: 1 hour 15 minutesThe B2 First Reading and Use of English paper has 7 parts and 52 questions and has a mix of text types and questions. For Parts 1 to 4, candidates read a range of texts and do grammar and vocabulary tasks. For Parts 5 to 7, candidates read a series of texts and answer questions that test their reading ability and show that they can deal with a variety of different types of texts This paper accounts for 40% of the total mark.

Writing:1 hour 20 minutesThe B2 First Writing paper has two parts. Candidates have to show that they can write different types of text in English. In Part 1 there is one compulsory question and in Part 2 candidates answer one question from a choice of three. In part 1 they are given an essay title and two ideas clearly linked to the title. They write an essay giving their opinions about the title, using the ideas given. They must also add a third, different idea of their own linked to the title. The title will be a subject of general interest and candidates won’t need any specialised knowledge. In part 2 candidates write a text from a choice of text types: article, email/letter, report or review. To guide their writing, they will be given information about context, topic purpose and target reader. This paper accounts for 20% of the total mark.

Listening: about 40 minutesThe B2 First Listening paper has four parts and 30 questions. For each part candidates have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. The test requires candidates to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as news programmes, presentations and everyday conversations.
Recordings may be from

Candidates hear each recording twice. This paper accounts for 20% of the total mark.

Speaking: 14 minutes per pair of candidatesThe B2 First Speaking has four parts and is conducted face-to-face with one other candidate and two examiners. One of the examiners, the interlocutor, conducts the test (asks questions, gives candidates the booklet with things to talk about). The other examiner, the assessor, listens to what the candidates say.
Part 1 is a conversation with the examiner. The examiner asks questions and candidates may have to give information about their interests, studies, career, etc.
In Part 2 the examiner gives each candidate two photographs and asks him/her talk about them. Each candidate has to speak for 1 minute without interruption and the interlocutor then asks the other candidate to comment on the photographs for about 30 seconds.
Part 3 is a conversation with the other candidate. The examiner provides some material and a task to do. Candidates have to talk to each other and make a decision.
Part 4 is further discussion with the other candidate, guided by questions from the examiner, about the topics or issues raised in the task in Part 3.
The Speaking test accounts for 20% of the total mark.

If you would like to be paired together with a friend/classmate you can
request this when you register for the exam. Please note however that
research has shown that there are both advantages and disadvantages in
taking the test with someone you know and that in the end it doesn’t
matter. What is important is that the test judges you on your own
performance.

Groups of three candidates

Almost all B2 First Speaking Tests are conducted in groups of two candidates. However, if there is an uneven number of candidates at an exam session there will be one test with a group of three candidates, normally at the end of the day or before a long break. The test format is exactly the same but will last a little longer. Please note that you cannot request to take your test in a group of three.

You will receive a Statement of Results. If your performance ranges between CEFR Levels C1 and B1, you will also receive a certificate.

You will receive a separate score for each of the four skills (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking) plus Use of English, giving you a clear understanding of your performance. These five scores are averaged to give an overall result for the exam. You will also be given a grade and Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level.

'Statement of Results'Your Statement of Results contains the following information:

Your score on the Cambridge English Scalefor each of the four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and Use of English

Your score on the Cambridge English Scale for the overall exam

Your grade (A, B, C, Level B1) for the overall exam

Your CEFR level for the overall exam. Depending on which university, college or organisation you are applying to, you may be asked to achieve a specific score or grade, either overall or for a particular skill.

For Cambridge English: First, the following scores will be used to report results:

Cambridge English Scale Score

Grade/ CEFR

CEFR level

180-190

Grade A

C1

173-179

Grade B

B2

160-172

Grade C

B2

140-159

Level B1

B1

The exam is targeted at Level B2 of the CEFR. The examination also
provides reliable assessment at the level above B2 (Level C1) and the
level below (Level B1).

Scores between 122 and 139 are also reported for Cambridge English: First. You will not receive a certificate, but your Cambridge English Scale score will be shown on your Statement of Results.

Please click on the image to the left of this text to find out the relationship between the CEFR levels, the Cambridge English Scale and the grades awarded in Cambridge English: First.

Your certificateIf a candidate demonstrates that he/she has achieved level B1 or above of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), one of the following certificates will be awarded:

Cambridge English: First - Level C1Exceptional candidates sometimes show ability beyond B2 level. If you achieve grade A in your exam, you will receive
the Cambridge English: First certificate stating that you demonstrated ability at Level C1.

Cambridge English: First - Level B2If you achieve grade B or C in your exam, you will be awarded the Cambridge English: First certificate at Level B2.

Level B1 CertificateIf your performance is below Level B2, but falls within Level B2, we will recognise your achievement with a Cambridge English certificate stating that you demonstrated ability at B1 level.

Results Verification Service

If you want a university, employer or other organisation to verify your
result, you must provide them with the information on your Statement of
Results and two additional pieces of information:

Both of these pieces of information can be found on your Confirmation of
Entry, which you receive when you register for the exam.They can then
verify your result by logging in to www.cambridgeenglish.org/verifiers

The CB sample test is only compatible with Mozilla Firefox. The reason is that this browser is packaged to the Connect Plus program which is used for Live Computer Based Exams. You can download Firefox for free here. Once downloaded, open Firefox and use the links below to view the tests.

IMPORTANT:If you pay for your exam by bank transfer you should clearly state the name and surname/s of the candidate and the level and date of the exam session. All transfers must reach us free of bank charges or interest. Exams Madrid will not be responsible for these charges. You must send us the payment receipt by email to registrations@exams-madrid.com so that we may trace your payment with the bank. Your place on the exam will not be confirmed until we receive a payment receipt for the exam fee.

At our offices:Registration and payment for exams may also be made at our offices. If candidates choose this option payment should be made on registering. Payment may be made in cash, by bank transfer or credit/debit card.

The candidate may register directly or send someone to register in his/her name.

IMPORTANT:After we receive the exam registration form a confirmation of receipt will be sent to the candidate. Once the exam fees have been settled the candidate will receive confirmation that he/she is registered to take the exam. If you do not receive confirmation of your exam registration within 3 working days please phone us on tel.: 914 184 796. You should also check that our email has not been sent to your junk/spam mail folder.